Mera Peak Climbing

Situated at an altitude of 21,825 ft. above the sea level, Mera Peak is the highest of all Nepal's official trekking peaks. The peak is located in the Hinku Valley. It is a challenging and thrilling task even for the adventurers to climb Mera's summit, however the views on the way up are truly spectacular! No doubt, the fun begins early on the journey -- long before we reach Mera Peak, and this is the ideal time for adventure and discovery.

It is a matter of fact that slow start and plenty of time to acclimatize are the prime keys to a successful trip at high altitude. Lukla (9000 ft) is a good place to begin. Our acclimatization for this climb will start with a two day hike and over the Zatrwa La (15,000 ft.) then back through lush green hills, forests of rhododendrons and bamboo, then finally into the Hinku Valley itself. The valley was reshaped a few years ago by the destruction of a large glacial lake that once lay at the northern end. The lake burst through its southern banks after a heavy spring thaw and poured into the valley. A deep river gorge now runs down the center, and our journey will take us up through this amazing display of waterpower.

Mera Peak (6,654m.) stands to the south of Everest and dominates the watershed between the heavily wooded valleys of the Hinku and Hongu Drangkas. It was J.O.M. Roberts and Sen Tenzing who made their first successful ascent of Mera Peak on 20 May 1953. There are several routes to the peak; however we will follow the standard route that the team had used. All the routes are difficult; some of them require crossing very high and difficult passes. This leads to a true mountaineering experience. The climbing offers a panoramic view of Chamlang, Kangchenjunga, Makalu, and Baruntse in the east and the peaks of Cho-Oyu, Ama Dablam and Kangtega to the west. Everest can be viewed to the north over the massive unclimbed south face of Lhotse and the Nuptse/Lhotse ridge.

Itinerary :

Day 01:Kathmandu - Lukla (2800m.)
We take early flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2800m.). Upon arrival at Lukla, we take lunch and start our trek to Chutanga (3050m.) and take overnight rest in the camp. While passing through Lukla, we would see a number of tiny hamlets before entering thick forest on the hillside below the Kalo Himal Ridge.

Day 02:Chutanga - Zatrawala Pass (4610m.) – Zatrabok (4704mt.)
Today, we trek from Chutanga to Zatrawala Pass (4610m.) and then to Zatrabok (4704m.). Along the trail, we will trek steep ascent to cross Zatrawala Pass. From Zatrawala Pass, we can enjoy the spectacular views of Numbur Himal, Kongdi Ri, Karyolang peak and many others. Finally, we reach our today's destination, overnight in the camp

Day 03:Zatrabok-Kothe
We start our trek from Zatrabok and do camping at Kothe. We have to take a steep descent trail to reach Kothe. Along the trail, we would be fortunate enough to find juniper, rhododendron and other local vegetation.

Day 04:Kothe - Tangnang (4356m.)
After having food at Kothe, we trek to Tangnang (4356m.) (Sabal Tsho-Lake) penetrating Hinku Valley (4600m.).The path is gradual ascent and we will enjoy the scenic views of Kusum Kanguru peak and many more

Day 05:Thangnang.
We would take rest at Thangnang for acclimatization. Today, we go around the valley to explore the local culture and enjoy the scenic view stunning peaks and glaciers

Day 06:Tangnang - Dig Kharka (4659m.)
It is our turn to trek from Tangnang to Dig Kharka (4659m.). The height of the trail would gain gradually until we find ourselves at Dig Kharka (4,650m), close to the foot of the Hinku Nup Glacier. The camping experience in the Khumbu region is something unique that you would cherish in the rest of your life.

Day 07:Dig Kharka - Khare (5045m.)
We start trek from Dig Kharka and finally reach Khare (5045m.) today. We have to acknowledge that gradually the height is increasing as we trek further.Today we will climb above 5,000 m (16,400ft) for the first time. Our hike up to Khare (5,100m, 16,728ft) is not so long. Hence, we trek slowly with frequent stops to experience the incredible surroundings. It is our pleasure to view the beautiful north face of Mera Peak from Khare.

Day 08:Khare
Again we take rest at Khare for acclimatization as we are preparing ourselves for the Mera Peak climb.

Day 09:Khare - Mera La Pass (5350m.)
Today we commence our trek from Khare and reach Mera La Pass (5350m.). We won't go a farther distance. We go only up to Mera glacier or Mera La. We will traverse a long flat space on top of the glacier as we make our way to the pass, called Mera La (5,400m, 17,710ft). We can clearly see our remaining route up to the summit of Mera Peak.

Day 10: Mera La (Pass) - Mera Peak High Camp
Today, we climb from Mera La (Pass) to Mera Peak High Camp. The area is full of ice glacier. The stunning views of Everest, Makalu, Baruntse, Kusum Kanguru and many other mountains and peaks make everyone speechless.

Day 11: High Camp (5780m.)
Today, we make our climb to the high camp (5,800mt.) on the Northern slopes of the upper mountain. It provides an excellent launch pad for the final climb to the summit. Having gained the Mera La, the route turns left (south) and follows easy angled snow slopes. After a short distance an area of crevasses is reached. Under normal conditions these can be walked around very easily, although looking into their deep, dark depths is always impressive. The crevasses soon give way to slightly steeper but open snow slopes that lead without difficulty to the high camp. This camp is in an excellent setting with wonderful views of Everest, Makalu and the Nuptse, Lhotse walls directly ahead.The setting sun casts an unbelievably magic light on these awesome mountains.

Day 12:Mera Peak - Khare
We give our final touch to the Mera Peak and return to Khare and enjoy camping. The climb to the summit of Mera starts gradually and much will depend on snow and general weather conditions. The central summit will soon appear above the head of a wide glacier flanked by two ridges. We climb the centre over open snowfields avoiding crevasses. The route then swings south-east, skirting below and to the east of the left-hand ridge before turning back rightwards towards the main summit ridge of Mera. Mera actually has three summits; the highest is our objective. We reach this by following a classic snow-ridge to just below the final wall that guards the top. This short steep snow slope is easily climbed but there is a big effort required to climb this last 50 metres. Your reward, however, is a feeling of ecstatic jubilation as you survey the magnificent panorama from the top. After taking pictures and enjoying the view, we descend by the same route back to our campsite below the Mera La.

Day 13:Khare - Kothe
Leaving Mera Peak would be very difficult for us as we have so many conflicting and unforgettable emotions hovering around us. We walk along the gradual descent path passing through Tangnang. To reach Kothe, one has to follow the descending path. On the way, we penetrate forests covered with fir, rhododendron and local vegetation.

Day 14:Kothe - Zatrabok
Trekking from Kothe to Zatrabok provides good experience of alpine vegetation like huge rhododendron forest. Besides, camping in the green hills and, after going over a series of high passes, learning more about the Nepali and Sherpa people is a new taste to any new visitor. We follow steep trail all the way to Zatrabok.

Day 15: Zatrabok - Chutanga
It is our turn to trek from Zatrabok to Chutanga . The trail is ascending till Zatrawala Pass and the trail descends afterwards till Chutanga.

Day 16: Chutanga - Lukla
Today, we trek from Chutanga to Lukla and overnight in a teahouse. The trail we walk along moves downhill all the way to Lukla. We trek through forests of fir, rhododendron, oak, juniper and local vegetation. We also enjoy the views of Numbur Himal, Kongdi Ri, Karyolang peak , etc.

Day 17:Lukla - Kathmandu
We take our early flight from Lukla to Kathmandu and it takes about 35 minutes to reach Kathmandu. In the afternoon, we go for shopping and in the evening, we would be served farewell dinner in the hotel.

Note: Itinerary can be customized according to your needs and length of stay.